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Intermediate8 min readUpdated Mar 18, 2026

How to create flexbox layouts on Framer

Quick Answer

Create flexbox layouts in Framer by selecting frames or components and enabling the Layout property in the Properties panel. Configure direction, alignment, and spacing settings to create responsive, flexible layouts that adapt to content and screen sizes.

Prerequisites

  1. Basic understanding of Framer interface
  2. Familiarity with layout concepts
  3. Knowledge of frame and component basics
  4. Understanding of responsive design principles
1

Create a parent frame for your flexbox container

Press F to create a new frame or select the Frame tool from the toolbar. Draw your frame on the canvas where you want your flexbox layout. This frame will act as your flex container that holds all child elements.
Tip
Name your frame descriptively like 'Navigation' or 'Card Container' to keep your layers organized.
2

Add child elements to the frame

Create or drag elements into your frame such as text layers, images, or other frames. You can add elements by:
  • Pressing T for text
  • Pressing R for rectangles
  • Dragging components from the Assets panel
  • Copy-pasting elements from other parts of your design
Ensure all elements you want to layout are direct children of your frame.
Tip
Add at least 2-3 elements to see the flexbox behavior clearly.
3

Enable Layout properties on the parent frame

Select your parent frame and navigate to the Properties panel on the right. Look for the Layout section and click the toggle to enable it. You'll see a dropdown menu appear with layout options - select Stack to enable flexbox-like behavior.
4

Configure flex direction and alignment

In the Layout section, configure your flexbox properties:
  • Direction: Choose Vertical or Horizontal to set flex-direction
  • Alignment: Set how items align along the main axis (Start, Center, End, Space Between, Space Around)
  • Cross Axis: Control alignment perpendicular to the main axis (Start, Center, End, Stretch)
Watch your elements automatically reposition as you change these settings.
Tip
Use 'Space Between' for navigation bars and 'Center' for card layouts.
5

Adjust spacing and padding

Fine-tune your layout spacing:
  • Gap: Set the space between child elements using the gap slider or input field
  • Padding: Add internal spacing around the container edges
  • Individual spacing: Select specific child elements to override spacing with custom margins
You can set different values for horizontal and vertical spacing by clicking the link icon to unchain them.
Tip
Use consistent gap values (like 16px or 24px) throughout your design for visual harmony.
6

Set up responsive behavior

Configure how your flexbox responds to different screen sizes:
  • In the Layout section, enable Wrap if you want items to wrap to new lines
  • Set Fill or Fit constraints on child elements to control their sizing behavior
  • Use Breakpoints to create different layouts for desktop, tablet, and mobile
Test your layout by resizing the frame or using the device preview.
Tip
Enable 'Fill' on one key element to make it grow and shrink with the container.
7

Test and refine your layout

Preview your flexbox layout to ensure it works as expected:
  • Press Cmd/Ctrl + Enter to enter preview mode
  • Resize the browser window to test responsiveness
  • Check different device sizes using Framer's device frames
  • Add or remove content to see how the layout adapts
Make adjustments to alignment, spacing, or constraints as needed.
Tip
Always test your layout with varying content lengths to ensure it remains flexible.

Troubleshooting

Child elements are overlapping or not aligned properly
Check that the Layout toggle is enabled on the parent frame and that all elements are direct children. Verify the Direction setting matches your intended layout orientation.
Elements are not wrapping to new lines when space runs out
Enable the Wrap option in the Layout section of your parent frame. Also check that child elements don't have fixed widths that prevent wrapping.
Layout breaks when adding new content or changing text
Set appropriate Fill or Fit constraints on child elements. Use Auto Width for text elements and ensure container has proper min/max width constraints.
Flexbox layout doesn't work in published site
Ensure you're using Framer's built-in Stack layout system rather than CSS flexbox. Check that all breakpoints have proper layout settings configured and preview in different browsers.

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